What does the right of first refusal allow a team to do?

The right of first refusal is a specific contractual provision that applies to restricted free agents in the NBA. When a player is classified as a restricted free agent, their current team has the opportunity to match any offer sheet that the player receives from another team. This means if another team extends an offer to the player, the original team can decide whether to retain the player by matching that offer. The purpose of this provision is to give teams a chance to keep talented players they have developed, allowing them to retain their roster stability and protect their investment.

The other options, while related to player contracts, do not define the right of first refusal. Negotiating a better salary with existing players does not involve matching offers from other teams; trading players without consent involves different contractual and league regulations; and offering additional years to a player's contract relates to contract extensions rather than matching external offers. Thus, the option about matching an offer sheet accurately reflects the essence of the right of first refusal.